Jets Add Travaris Cadet to Backfield (Report)

NEW ORLEANS, LA - AUGUST 31: Travaris Cadet #38 of the New Orleans Saints runs the ball during a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on August 31, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Ravens defeated the Saints 14-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

With Matt Forte likely to miss Sunday’s game due to a toe injury suffered in the Jets win over the Dolphins on Sunday, the Jets have signed Travaris Cadet. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport was the first to break the news.

Cadet, 28, was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Appalachian State in 2012. He spent three seasons with the New Orleans Saints where he was used primarily as a receiver out of the backfield.

From 2012-14 with the Saints, he only rushed for 37 yards on just 11 carries. But he was more productive as a receiver, recording 45 receptions for 345 yards and two touchdowns. The Saints did not tender him an offer after the 2014 season and he became an unrestricted free agent.

The New England Patriots signed him in March of 2015 and he made their roster out of training camp. However, due to an injury, he didn’t have enough consistent playing time and was active for just one game. The Patriots released him on Sept. 29, 2015.

Cadet was then signed by the San Francisco 49ers on Nov. 10, 2015. He played in four games with the 49ers, where he had 10 catches for 66 yards and seven rushes for 16 yards. The 49ers released him on Dec. 22.

The Saints brought Cadet back to New Orleans on Dec. 23, where he appeared in the final two games of the season (starting one). Once again Cadet was used primarily as a receiver out of the backfield, catching nine passes for 146 yards and a touchdown.

He spent last season with New Orleans as well, setting career-highs with 40 catches and four touchdowns.

Cadet was brought in with former Chiefs running back Knile Davis on Tuesday for a tryout, but the Jets preferred Cadet because of his ability to catch passes out of the backfield.

Mark Kelly covers all New York Sports and the New York Jets for ProFootballSpot.com. You can follow him on twitter @CkmagicSports. A two-time Emmy Award Winner and former ESPN Researcher, Mark’s story of surviving cancer has touched many lives. Read more about Mark here or go to CKMagicSports.com and click on KNOCKOUTCANCER.